- Hardcover: 416 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Press; First Edition edition (1 Mar 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0593053427
- ISBN-13: 978-0593053423
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.6 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 464,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Man Of War (Matthew Hervey 09)
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Product Description
Review
"Matthew Hervey has now joined Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe, and Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey as a creation of superlative skills and character."
-"Birmingham Post"
"[Mallinson is] the heir to Patrick O'Brian and C.S. Forester."
-"Observer"
-"Birmingham Post"
"[Mallinson is] the heir to Patrick O'Brian and C.S. Forester."
-"Observer"
Evening Standard
[A] splendid literary cavalry charge. This book finds Brigadier
Mallinson at the top of his game. Pitch-perfect dialogue, deeply researched
historical references ... well-drawn and moving.
Mallinson at the top of his game. Pitch-perfect dialogue, deeply researched
historical references ... well-drawn and moving.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As most Mallinson readers I have lived through the excellent early books and survived the mediocre books 6 & 7. Company of Spears was a return to coherance and encouraged; Man of War, however, is a completely new direction.
There are two stories that are intermingled, Peto in the Ionian campaign and Hervey back in the UK. I think Mallinson is struggling to find a sensible route for Hervey to go following the earlier South African campaigns and the introduction of the Peto story covers this gap well, providing the essential fighting action without too much invention.
I actually think the writing in Man of War has improved and I found the novel very readable. The characters are developed more then in previous books and although I have to admit to liking Hervey (and his sister) less then in earlier encounters, they are certainly becoming deeper.
The great difference between the O'Brians of the world, compared to the genres of Bernhard Cornwall et al, is this development of character and the description of life outside the normal fighting narrative. Mallinson is trying to bridge this gap and I think Man of War is not far away.
Don't expect a light, all action hero book. This is a historical novel with military action included. It is worth the investment of time and money.
There are two stories that are intermingled, Peto in the Ionian campaign and Hervey back in the UK. I think Mallinson is struggling to find a sensible route for Hervey to go following the earlier South African campaigns and the introduction of the Peto story covers this gap well, providing the essential fighting action without too much invention.
I actually think the writing in Man of War has improved and I found the novel very readable. The characters are developed more then in previous books and although I have to admit to liking Hervey (and his sister) less then in earlier encounters, they are certainly becoming deeper.
The great difference between the O'Brians of the world, compared to the genres of Bernhard Cornwall et al, is this development of character and the description of life outside the normal fighting narrative. Mallinson is trying to bridge this gap and I think Man of War is not far away.
Don't expect a light, all action hero book. This is a historical novel with military action included. It is worth the investment of time and money.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I must confess that this probably the first story in the series that underwhelmed me. The cover of the book - a fine painting depicting a dragoon about to cut with his sabre - bears no relation at all to the story within. This novel develops Matthew Hervey's character in the peacetime London of 1827 - the 6th Light Dragoons are merely involved in manouvres rather than action - and there is a feeling about the novel that it marks a pause before sending the series in new directions.
Hervey awaits news of an inquiry while dealing with family issues but the meat of the novel (for those of us who enjoy derring do) is Hervey's maritime friend, Sir Loughton Peto, removed from the beach to take up command of HMS Rupert en route to Greece. Even here the bulk of the novel deals with the lead up to the Battle of Navarino, rather than the action itself.
I have no intention of describing the plot, suffice to say that Allan Mallinson has written a fine book in which several secondary plotlines from previous stories have been developed and some potential new plotlines have been introduced. I suspect Hervey's personal life to become more complex in future books. As in real life, few things are finally resolved but simply become more complicated with age. Although there is little military action in this book it is well written and more than held my interest over the few hours it took to read - I think it is a sign of what a fine writer Mr Mallinson is that such a novel (of social cut and thrust rather than the military variety) was so enjoyable.
While I think that a new reader could simply pitch into most of the other novels at any point in the series (if they could not start with A Close Run Thing for some reason) I believe that A Man Of War would not be a good introduction to the pleasures of Matthew Hervey's life.
I look forward to Hervey's return to Africa in the next novel.
Hervey awaits news of an inquiry while dealing with family issues but the meat of the novel (for those of us who enjoy derring do) is Hervey's maritime friend, Sir Loughton Peto, removed from the beach to take up command of HMS Rupert en route to Greece. Even here the bulk of the novel deals with the lead up to the Battle of Navarino, rather than the action itself.
I have no intention of describing the plot, suffice to say that Allan Mallinson has written a fine book in which several secondary plotlines from previous stories have been developed and some potential new plotlines have been introduced. I suspect Hervey's personal life to become more complex in future books. As in real life, few things are finally resolved but simply become more complicated with age. Although there is little military action in this book it is well written and more than held my interest over the few hours it took to read - I think it is a sign of what a fine writer Mr Mallinson is that such a novel (of social cut and thrust rather than the military variety) was so enjoyable.
While I think that a new reader could simply pitch into most of the other novels at any point in the series (if they could not start with A Close Run Thing for some reason) I believe that A Man Of War would not be a good introduction to the pleasures of Matthew Hervey's life.
I look forward to Hervey's return to Africa in the next novel.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Man of War was, for me, a return to the bad old days of Rumours of War: choppy storylines and writing unable to rise above structual flaws in the novel. That's not to say its badly written - its not - but just that it cannot carry Mallinson's aspirations, which appear to be to write the perfect Patrick O'Brien/Jane Austen pastiche, only without all the zombies. Seriously, its duty this, duty that, visit the fiance, screw the mistress, travel somewhere, travel somewhere else, dinner at the Club...it goes on. And on.
Why so harsh? Well, see the cover - Hervey (I assume) on horseback, sabre in hand, charging...somewhere, at something. [Spoiler alert!] The reason you can't see any more than that, is that during the book the closest Hervey gets to an action scene (including the mistress visit mentioned above) is during some war games, and it's a bunch of redcoats Hervey is running at to capture the Dorney bridge. [End spoiler] This sequence is actually relevant to the wider story arc of Hervey's military progression, but when the climax of his story is a wedding...its not military historical fiction anymore.
To make up for this lack of action, Captain Peto takes up the heavy lifting, captaining the fictional 120-gun First Rate Prince Rupert, strangely a heavier gunned ship than I thought the British ships of the day were. Peto's story is to rejoice in his engagement to Elizabeth Hervey while carrying an Admiral's 13 year old daughter to Malta, prior to proceeding on to confront the Turks. Thus there is a bit of nautical action here, which is competantly done, and then a climactic battle at the end. Its almost like Peto is the hero of this book, not Hervey. Actually, he's a better man than Hervey too it appears, and I am starting to wish Mallinson had spent the last 9 books covering off the Peto adventures into which Hervey occasionally appears, not vice versa.
For all my complaints, its not a stinker of a book, its just missing that little bit that marks something out as top shelf. Its not a crime to fail to be as good as O'Brien. I'll keep going with Hervey - I have to, I bought all 10 books at once - but the ratio of words to deeds is starting to worry me. In addition, throwing in a reference to "Lord Bulwer-Lytton" may be historically accurate and plausible, but tends to make an unsatisfied reader think dark thoughts, as does titling a chapter "The Reverse of the Medal" after one of the Aubrey - Maturin series. Its not a good idea to first remind readers of a better book, and then of a bad writing award. Both little nods to the reader were better left out after the first draft, I think.
Here's to hoping Warrior, book 10, has a little less conversation, and a little more action.
Why so harsh? Well, see the cover - Hervey (I assume) on horseback, sabre in hand, charging...somewhere, at something. [Spoiler alert!] The reason you can't see any more than that, is that during the book the closest Hervey gets to an action scene (including the mistress visit mentioned above) is during some war games, and it's a bunch of redcoats Hervey is running at to capture the Dorney bridge. [End spoiler] This sequence is actually relevant to the wider story arc of Hervey's military progression, but when the climax of his story is a wedding...its not military historical fiction anymore.
To make up for this lack of action, Captain Peto takes up the heavy lifting, captaining the fictional 120-gun First Rate Prince Rupert, strangely a heavier gunned ship than I thought the British ships of the day were. Peto's story is to rejoice in his engagement to Elizabeth Hervey while carrying an Admiral's 13 year old daughter to Malta, prior to proceeding on to confront the Turks. Thus there is a bit of nautical action here, which is competantly done, and then a climactic battle at the end. Its almost like Peto is the hero of this book, not Hervey. Actually, he's a better man than Hervey too it appears, and I am starting to wish Mallinson had spent the last 9 books covering off the Peto adventures into which Hervey occasionally appears, not vice versa.
For all my complaints, its not a stinker of a book, its just missing that little bit that marks something out as top shelf. Its not a crime to fail to be as good as O'Brien. I'll keep going with Hervey - I have to, I bought all 10 books at once - but the ratio of words to deeds is starting to worry me. In addition, throwing in a reference to "Lord Bulwer-Lytton" may be historically accurate and plausible, but tends to make an unsatisfied reader think dark thoughts, as does titling a chapter "The Reverse of the Medal" after one of the Aubrey - Maturin series. Its not a good idea to first remind readers of a better book, and then of a bad writing award. Both little nods to the reader were better left out after the first draft, I think.
Here's to hoping Warrior, book 10, has a little less conversation, and a little more action.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The first time I ever cried while reading a book
The plaudit often given to authors of historical novels: "The heir to Patrick O'Brien", is as over-used as it is often undeserved. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Heavenly Body II
Excellent
Another 5 star book from Allan Mallinson. Until I read the first of book of his in this series, I had never read (fiction) about the British cavalry's escapades other than in... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Aremess
Disappointed
A bit drawn out I felt, It must be very hard to keep coming up with a new plot for the same characters in a long running series as good as this one is, and Hervey is to say the... Read more
Published 21 months ago by hallucigenia
Hervey charges on!
I found this book an absolute delight. The settings display an almost effortless authenticity, and the characters and dialogue spring out in very believable ways. Read more
Published on 17 April 2007 by Martin Johnson
Disappointing
I have avidly read all of the Matthew Hervey novels since their inception. However the only reason I read this from cover to cover was in the vain hope that the story would... Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2007 by P. J. Hodgson
Hervey gets better!
I notice 21 people viewed my comments on the previous book in this series could they have included the author and the publisher? Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2007 by gronow
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